Please download this week’s Bulletin (766kb pdf.)
Bulletin Issue 7, 2013

On Thursday May 9^th, Year 9 and 10 students, accompanied by Mr Linton Higginbotham and Ms Valery Kullrich, set off for the University of Tasmania to take on the assignments of the Science and Engineering State Challenge.

Teams were tested for their inventiveness, problem-solving abilities and creativity.  They were required to build strong but feather-light bridges, design a remote controlled hovercraft, a paper tower that would withstand earthquakes and decode electronic encryptions.

We very proudly announce that all students participated very well and, as a result, our team placed 1^st on the day.

As winners of the Tasmanian Science and Engineering Challenge, in October we will travel to the National Final, which is to be held in New South Wales.

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) which is the annual assessment for students in Grades 3 and 5 and Years 7 and 9 is rapidly approaching.  Below is the 2013 Year 7 and Year 9 timetable.

NAPLAN has been an annual event for schools since 2008 and is made up of tests in the four domains of Reading, Writing, Language Conventions (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and Numeracy.  NAPLAN assesses skills in literacy and numeracy that are developed over time, through the curriculum.

NAPLAN is not a pass or fail type test, rather it demonstrates how individual students are progressing in numeracy and literacy skills against national standards for all Australia children. All students are expected to participate in the tests. Students with identified needs may qualify for special provisions that reflect the support normally provided to them in the classroom.

An individual student NAPLAN report will be issued later this year. Parents can use this information to monitor how their daughter is progressing and to identify any areas of concern. Parents may also wish to use their daughter’s results to discuss progress with their teachers.

As well as printed material, a video on the NAPLAN website explains how NAPLAN results are reported, including the individual Student Report. These resources may be useful to answer questions about NAPLAN.  More information is available at www.naplan.edu.au.  In the weeks leading up to the tests your daughters will have the opportunity to try some practice questions in their English and Mathematics classes.  They may even have some to do for homework.  This is not “teaching for the test” but hopefully such practice may allay any nervousness at the prospect of doing the tests.  Please do not hesitate to contact any of your daughter’s teachers if you have any questions concerning the NAPLAN tests.

NAPLAN 2013 Timetable Grade 3 and 5 and Year 7 and Year 9

Tuesday 14th May                     

Language Conventions
45 minutes

Writing
40 minutes

Wednesday 15th May

Reading
65 minutes

Thursday 16th May

Numeracy  (Calculator)
40 minutes

Numeracy (Non-calculator)
40 minutes

‘Catch-up’ tests

Individual students who are absent or unable to undertake the tests on the nominated days will undertake ‘catch-up’ tests on Friday, 17^th May. Catch-up tests cannot be scheduled in the week following the national tests.

Dr. Adam Grover

Director of Teaching and Learning

Please be reminded that Learn To Swim classes will be held for Grades 1, 2, 4 and 6 students from
6^th May until Friday 10^th May.
Please refer to Issue 6 of the College Bulletin
18^th April for  further details.

In last week’s ANZAC Day Commemorative March, students from Year Nine volunteered to represent Mount Carmel College by carrying the banner of The Australian Army, Post World War Two.  Thus were acknowledged those who fought for their country in the Korean War (1950 – 53) and those who acted as Peace Keepers from 1953 – 1956.  The March took place in the City of Hobart at 11.00 am and the girls proudly carried the banner to the Cenotaph where the ANZAC Service was subsequently held.

Thank you to Kate Goyen, Anna Koerner, Kate Nelson and Anna Mackintosh for their participation in this moving tribute to our service men and women.  The fact that they gave up some of their holiday time to do so was much appreciated.